Program

3 Feb 2017 18:30 - 21:30

Love, sex and marriage…with a robot?

Designers are producing robots that are increasingly human-like in appearance and actions. From sophisticated machines we can chat to, through to lifelike sex robots, these creations have the potential to change how humans date, have sex or fall in love. But do we really want – and need – artificial companionship? Join us for an evening of activities, from talks to film screenings, as we explore the future of romantic relationships.

A series of events during a popular British Academy Friday Late
including a stage reading from Karel Capek’s R.U.R. with an introduction by
David Short, whose translation of R.U.R was published by Hesperus Press in
2011.

WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER3 February 2017, 18.40 –19.00 &
20.10 –20.30Lecture Hal, The British AcademyDr David Short, academic and translator,
introduces R.U.R (1920),
a classic of science fiction. Written by Czech playwright Karel Capek, the play
is credited with introducing the word ‘robot’ into the English language. His introduction
will be followed by a theatrical reading of the play’s iconic love scene,
delivered by the Liars’ League.